Veteran & Military Benefits

SUNY Potsdam salutes your service to our country and values your contributions to the campus community.

In addition to the traditional forms of financial aid, military veterans and their dependents may be eligible for additional financial assistance for their educational expenses. The Financial Aid Office and the Veteran & Military Services office are available to assist you in the application process.

VA Educational Benefit Programs

Post 9/11 (Chapter 33)Up to 36 months of education benefits for degree and certificate programs. Generally, benefits are payable for up to 15 years following release from active duty. Benefits are prorated based on the eligible tier percentage and the number of credit hours and include:

Tuition and fees (up to the maximum amount set by VA), which is paid directly to the college.

Monthly BAH, equivalent to an E-5 rank with dependents based on SUNY Potsdam's zip code.

Book stipend not to exceed $1,000 per academic year.

You must take at least one full-semester 3-credit on-campus course to be eligible for the full amount of your monthly BAH.
Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) Up to 36 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty.
Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 1606) Up to 36 months of education benefits for your degree and certificate programs if you are a member of the Selected Reserve (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Reserve, and Army National and Air National Guard). Your benefit entitlement ends 10 years from the date of your eligibility for the program or on the day you leave the Selected Reserve.
Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31)
For services and assistance necessary for service-connected disabled veterans to achieve independence and to obtain and maintain suitable employment. VA pays the cost of tuition, fees, required books, supplies, and equipment. If eligible, you may receive up to 4 years of rehabilitation services. Generally, you must complete a rehabilitation program within 12 years from the date VA notifies you of your entitlement to compensation benefits.
Survivors’ and Dependents Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35) Up to 45 months of education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition or of Veterans who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.
Tuition Assistance:

New York State Assistance

Veterans Tuition Awards (VTA)
Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, or other eligible combat veterans matriculated at an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting institution or in an approved vocational training program in New York State are eligible for awards for full or part-time study.
Military Enhanced Recognition Incentive and Tribute (MERIT) Scholarships, (also known as Military Service Recognition Scholarship)
Provides financial aid to children, spouses and financial dependents of members of the armed forces of the United States or of a state organized militia who, at any time on or after Aug. 2, 1990, while a New York State resident, died or became severely and permanently disabled while engaged in hostilities or training for hostilities. For study in New York State.
NYSRegents Awardsfor Children of Deceased and Disabled Veterans
Provided to students whose parent(s) have served in the U.S. Armed Forces during specified periods of war or national emergency.

ROTC

Need More Information?

Paying for College – a webpage which can be used by prospective students to enter the names of up to three schools and receive detailed financial information on each one and to enter actual financial aid award information.
Financial Aid Shopping Sheet – a model aid award letter designed to simplify the information that prospective students receive about costs and financial aid, so you can easily compare institutions and make informed decisions about where to attend school. The SUNY Potsdam shopping sheet is sent to all new students who have applied for federal student aid.
College Navigator – a consumer tool that provides school information to include tuition and fees, retention and graduation rates, use of financial aid, student loan default rates and features a cost calculator and school comparison tool.

College Scorecard – a planning tool and resource to assist prospective students and their families as you evaluate options in selecting a school.